The 34th Hong Kong International Optical Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association, will be held from 4 to 6 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre under the theme "Bright Eyes · New Horizons." The event matters because it arrives at a pivotal moment for the eyewear industry, where technological innovation, demographic shifts and changing lifestyles are reshaping both products and markets.
More than 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions will present a comprehensive range of products including smart eyewear, eye care, sports and specialist eyewear, frames and lenses. HKTDC Associate Executive Director Smilely Lam noted that AI-powered smart glasses recorded global shipments of 8.7 million units last year, a year-on-year increase of 322%, underscoring the sector's strong growth momentum. This surge, supported by separate data from IDC and Omdia cited in the announcement, signals that smart eyewear is moving from a niche category to mainstream adoption. The fair's focus on this segment is therefore significant for buyers and manufacturers seeking to capture a rapidly expanding market.
The event will feature a wide array of smart glasses equipped with augmented reality, AI voice assistants, real-time translation, 4K recording and navigation functions. At the same time, the silver economy is fuelling demand for vision care and eye-health products, with exhibitors showcasing progressive lenses, smart reading glasses, bone-conduction audio glasses and eye-care devices designed for older consumers. This dual focus on cutting-edge technology and age-related vision needs reflects broader industry trends and offers a glimpse into the future of eyewear.
Beyond the exhibition floor, a series of forums and seminars will cover smart eyewear, performance eyewear, testing and certification. The 24th Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium on 5 November will bring together experts from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to discuss paediatric eye care, digital eye strain, dry eye management and other clinical topics. The 26th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition will also hold its award ceremony, with a new Technology Concept Award encouraging student designers to integrate creativity and technology.
The fair's international sourcing appeal is underlined by pre-registered buyers from leading retailers and distributors worldwide, including Capitol Optical (Singapore), Eyespace Eyewear (UK), Grand Optik (Indonesia) and Vision Plus (US). The HKTDC is reinforcing Hong Kong's position as an international business hub and regional sourcing centre through this event. For those interested in attending, the fair's website is https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en, and a detailed programme is available at https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en/programme. Information on the optometric symposium can be found at https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en/the-24th-hong-kong-international-optometric-symposium, while the HKTDC's Media Room is accessible at http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en.
The fair will continue to adopt the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, integrating online and offline elements through the Click2Match platform until 13 November and the Scan2Match function on the HKTDC Marketplace App. With its comprehensive showcase of smart technology, silver economy solutions, fashion and design, active lifestyles and sustainability, the fair offers a timely platform for the industry to explore emerging opportunities and foster cross-industry collaboration.
